World

Hong Kong has such a romantic aura surrounding it, rich in history, boys own tales and block buster movies. An island that served as the nexus for trading between two mighty empires for hundreds of years and celebrated for its grand casinos, towering modern sky scrapers, beaches, markets and now the world’s longest sea crossing bridge.

Some of the greatest pleasures in travelling can be found in the smallest places, they are frequently neither crowded nor spoilt by tacky shops and too many eateries. Many have retained their integrity where tourists fit into the local culture rather than tourists dominating at every turn.

Capitalising on the ongoing British thirst for gin, OZEN by Atmosphere, the flagship luxury all‐inclusive resort from Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, has become the first resort in the Maldives to open a Gin Bar – aptly named Gin Is In.

Having just returned from a long weekend in Turkey, I feel refreshed, relaxed and just tanned-enough, to receive some raised eyebrow envy from my non-journo friends.

With the temperatures just starting to rise, it is a great time to go to get some bargain sun and avoid the hardcore sun worshiping crowds. With a previous visit to Antalya a distant memory (apart from the beautiful beaches and long hot days), I was keen to get back to the white sands and dip my toes in the crystal-clear water.

So International Excellence Magazine was in Greenwich for an event with Hunton Yachts, introducing this awesome British brand to ultra high net worth at the Delamar Hotel in Connecticut

The Delamar is of course set overlooking Greenwich Harbor so ideal for a yacht party, especially as Hunton were taking the VIPs out around Rocky Neck Point so they could really experience the comfort, speed and unbelievable stability of the boat. The New York yachting fraternity was extremely impressed and the evening was a great success.

The Maldives are rightly known as heaven on earth, just over a thousand islands all reflecting an idyllic vision of paradise. Tiny islets of fine golden sand dotted throughout a crystal glass sea, basking in glorious sunshine that stays between 25 and 35 degrees all year round.

I’ve been to Liuwa Plain National Park before, last time in November and I was captivated by the distant storms, the forked lightening, the pink sand lillies and the wildebeest babies being born; Liuwa Plain is home to the second biggest wildebeest migration on earth.

Linking the world renowned city of Dubrovnik with the virtually unknown tiny historic centre of the inland town of Kranj in Slovenia is more than unusual, but there are elements that they share in addition to just bringing much pleasure and beauty into the equation.

“Photography is the story we fail to put into words.” I came across this quote and it really resonated with me. Throughout my life I have always combined my love of travel with my passion for photography, so much so, that it eventually evolved into a career for me. And though it is in fact my job to find those words to tell the story, photography will always have the upper hand.

At the Varua Te Ora Polynesia Spa, discover the new Pacific Seashells massage for a unique experience of pure island bliss. This relaxing massage is a call for a Pacific escape. Combining the benefits of the Polynesian massage with the gentle heat of seashells, this soothing treatment dissolves muscle tension and will help your body to rediscover harmony and bliss.